If you are wondering how to get more likes on tiktok, the honest answer is that likes follow attention, and attention follows a good video shown to the right people. There is no secret switch. There are, though, plenty of small habits that make people watch to the end, tap the heart and come back for more. This guide covers hooks, sounds, posting, engagement and the things to leave alone.

We are a UK social media agency, so we see what works for small businesses as well as creators. We will be straight with you throughout: no tricks, no “hacks” that only work for a week, and no buying likes. Where we could not verify something from an official source, we say so.

What a like actually tells TikTok

A like is a quick signal that someone enjoyed a video. TikTok says that its recommendations are shaped by three groups of things: how people interact with videos (including liking, sharing, commenting and following), information about the video itself (such as captions, sounds and hashtags), and device and account settings, which it says carry less weight. You can read the explanation on TikTok’s newsroom page about how it recommends videos.

That same page says follower count and past high-performing videos are not direct factors in recommendations. That is good news for new accounts: a fresh profile can have a video do well if people respond to it. It also means the video in front of you matters more than your history.

Start with the hook: how to get more likes on tiktok in the first three seconds

Most people decide in a moment whether to stay or swipe. If the opening is slow, vague or full of throat-clearing, the rest of your video never gets a chance. A strong hook tells viewers what they will get and why they should wait for it.

Hook styles that work for real businesses

• The promise. “Three things I wish I had known before painting a room.” It sets a clear expectation.
• The question. “Why does your boiler make that noise?” Choose a question your customers really ask.
• The result first. Show the finished cake, the tidy garden or the new logo, then rewind to how it was made.
• The surprise. Something unexpected in the first frame, such as a close-up that is hard to identify.
• The mistake. “Stop doing this when you wash your hair.” Warnings grab attention, so only use them when they are true.

Put the hook in three places at once: speak it, show it, and add it as text on screen. Many people watch with the sound off, so your first line needs to work visually too.

Avoid slow starts

Skip the logo animation, the “hi guys, welcome back” and the long intro. Jump straight in. You can say hello at the end if you like.

Keep people watching to the end

A like usually comes after someone has watched. Videos that hold attention give viewers time to react, so your goal is to make the whole thing worth watching.

1. Keep it tight. Cut pauses, repeated words and dead air. If a sentence does not help, remove it.
2. Change what is on screen. A new angle, a cutaway or an on-screen caption every few seconds keeps the eye busy.
3. Use captions. They help viewers who are watching quietly and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
4. Match length to the idea. A simple tip may need only ten seconds. A story may need a minute. Do not stretch a short idea to fill time.
5. Build a payoff. Save the reveal, the answer or the punchline for the end so people stay for it.
6. Think about loops. If the last line leads naturally back to the first, people may watch it again. That is a nice bonus, not a reason to sacrifice sense.

If you are building a following from scratch, our guide on how to get followers on TikTok covers the wider picture, including profile set-up and niche choice.

Sounds, trends and hashtags

TikTok lists sounds and hashtags among the video information it uses, so they are worth a thought. They are not magic, but they help your video find its audience.

Choosing sounds

A popular sound can put your video in front of people who are already enjoying that audio. Pick one that suits your idea instead of forcing it. If the sound does not fit your video, viewers can tell. For business accounts, check that you are allowed to use a sound commercially, as the library for business accounts is more limited than the one for personal accounts. We could not open TikTok’s help pages to confirm the current details, so check inside the app before you rely on a track.

Joining trends sensibly

Trends can bring new viewers, but only if you add something of your own. Ask how the trend relates to what you do. A plumber showing a “before and after” of a bathroom taps into a familiar format; a plumber doing an unrelated dance mostly confuses people.

Hashtags and captions

Use a few specific hashtags rather than a long list of vague ones. A mix of one broad tag, one niche tag and one local tag is a sensible start. Write a caption that includes the words people might search for, because many people use TikTok as a search tool. Keep it natural and readable.

Posting: when, how often and in what format

People ask for the perfect posting time constantly. We could not find an official figure from TikTok that we could verify, and best-time lists online often contradict each other. Your own analytics are far more useful.

• Check your analytics. TikTok’s analytics show when your followers are active. Start there.
• Test, then repeat. Post at a few different times for a few weeks, then compare.
• Be consistent. Three to five posts a week is a realistic target for many small teams, though you can start with fewer. A steady rhythm beats a burst followed by silence.
• Use the first frame well. Choose a cover image that makes sense in your profile grid, not just a random frame.
• Film vertically. Full-screen portrait video fits the way people browse.
• Use good light and clear audio. A window and a cheap clip-on microphone make a bigger difference than a new camera.

It also helps to batch. Film several videos in one session, wearing the same outfit if you want to look consistent, and edit them later. That removes the daily pressure to come up with something new.

Encourage engagement without begging for it

Asking for a like is fine once in a while, but it works better if you give people a reason to react. A video that makes someone laugh, learn or feel understood earns a heart without being asked.

Ways to invite a reaction

• Ask a simple question. “Which one would you pick?” invites a comment, and viewers who comment often stay and watch more.
• Take a clear side. A friendly opinion starts a conversation. Avoid being rude about other businesses.
• Reply with video. TikTok lets you answer a comment with a video. It rewards the commenter and gives you a ready-made idea.
• Pin the best comment. It nudges people to read and add their own.
• Use series. “Part 2 tomorrow” brings people back, as long as you really do post Part 2.
• Collaborate. Duets and stitches with other creators or customers can introduce you to a new audience.

Reply to comments quickly in the first hour or two after posting if you can. It keeps the conversation moving and shows viewers you are real.

Make content people want to like

Everything above about how to get more likes on tiktok is mechanics. The foundation is content that is useful, entertaining or emotional. Ask yourself three questions before you hit post.

1. Would I stop scrolling for this?
2. Does it give the viewer something: a laugh, an answer, a good feeling?
3. Is it clear who it is for?

If the answer to any is no, tweak it. Videos made for everyone usually land with no one. Videos made for a specific person, such as a new parent in Portsmouth or a first-time homeowner in Guildford, tend to land with that person and their friends.

What not to do

Because you are asking how to get more likes on tiktok, you will find plenty of shortcuts. Here is why we steer clear of them.

Buying likes or views

Paid likes come from fake or low-quality accounts. They do not watch, comment or buy. They can also make your engagement figures look odd, which can hurt trust with real viewers and with brands who might work with you. Our articles on whether you should buy TikTok views and buy TikTok followers explain what actually happens. We could not open TikTok’s current Community Guidelines to quote the exact rule, so we do not claim a specific penalty here, but fake engagement is something no platform wants.

Like-for-like swaps and engagement groups

Groups where people trade likes may give your numbers a nudge, but the people liking are not your audience. They will not become customers.

Reposting watermarked clips

Videos with another platform’s watermark often look recycled. Export without watermarks, or better, film a native version.

Copying someone else’s content

Using another creator’s video as your own is unfair, and it is unlikely to win loyal viewers. Take inspiration, then add your own twist.

Undisclosed promotions

If you are paid or gifted something to promote it, you must make that clear. The UK advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority, sets out the rules for advertising, including on social media. We could not open its influencer guidance pages, so read the current version before you work with brands.

Check what is working

Once a week, spend ten minutes looking at your analytics. Compare your top three videos with your bottom three. Look for patterns in the hook, the length, the topic and the posting time. Do more of what worked and less of what did not.

Likes are only one measure. Watch time, shares, saves, comments and profile visits all show whether people care. A video with fewer likes but lots of shares may be doing more for your business. If you want a reference for what a healthy engagement rate looks like, see our social media benchmarks UK guide.

Give it time. When you are working on how to get more likes on tiktok, plan on at least a couple of months of regular posting before judging, and keep a note of what you changed each week so that you can link results to actions.

Frequently asked questions

How many likes is good on TikTok?

It depends on your audience size and niche. Compare yourself with your own average, not with viral accounts. Rising watch time and shares are better signs than one big number.

Do hashtags still matter?

TikTok lists hashtags as part of video information, so they help describe your content. Use a few relevant ones and do not stuff the caption.

Why do my videos get views but no likes?

People may be watching but not feeling a push to react. Try a stronger payoff, a clearer question or a more specific audience. Also check that the hook matches the content, so viewers are not leaving disappointed.

Can a new account go viral?

Yes. TikTok says follower count is not a direct factor in recommendations, so a new account can reach people if the video connects. There is no guarantee, so keep your expectations realistic.

Should I delete videos that flop?

Usually not. They cost nothing to leave up, and an older video can find an audience later. Learn from them and move on.

Is it safe to use apps that promise free likes?

No. They often ask for your login details, which puts your account at risk, and they deliver nothing useful. Avoid them.

Need a hand with TikTok?

If you would like a team to plan, film or manage short-form video for your business, Delivered Social is a UK agency based in Guildford and Portsmouth, and we are happy to chat. Just contact us and we will tell you honestly what we think will move the needle.

The real answer to how to get more likes on tiktok is steady, useful, well-made video that people want to watch. Start with a strong hook, keep it tight, post regularly and let the likes come the honest way.